Showing posts with label Quinoa Recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quinoa Recipes. Show all posts

Monday, April 15, 2013

Quinoa with Tofu, Zucchini, Eggplant and Onions

INGREDIENTS:
-1/2 eggplant
-2 zucchini
-1 large white onion
-7 cloves of garlic
-2 roma tomatoes (optional)
-EVOO
-Salt
-1 cup of quinoa
-1 pack of extra firm tofu
-1/3 lemon (optional)


INSTRUCTIONS:

-Take one cup of quinoa and 2.5 cups of water, put them in a medium pot and cook on high until it comes to a boil then on medium with the cover on until the quinoa absorbs the water and reaches a desired texture.  This shouldn't take more than about 12 minutes.  If the water is running out and the quinoa isn't ready yet, add about a half'cup more and then check it.

-Rinse block of extra firm tofu under cold water for a few seconds.  Then chop it into cubes, about 1cmx1cm.

-Steam tofu cubes in a steamer (15 minutes) or covered in the microwave if you only have one steamer (10 minutes).  Everyone raves about the well-done texture achieved by cooking it this long.

-While the quinoa is cooking and the tofu steaming,  chop the eggplant and zucchini into cubes about the size of a quarter. In another steamer, steam all veggie cubes for about 6-8 minutes, turning off the heat and uncovering them when they are 85% cooked.

-Then slice the onions into 1''x.5'' slices and sautée them in a large pan in EVOO on medium heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until they turn clear.

-While the onions are sautéeing, mince 7 cloves of garlic and if you want dice 2-3 roma tomatoes (optional).  Once onions are clear, toss the minced garlic and tomato into the pan with a little more olive oil and stir it all around for about two more minutes, until the tomatoes have softened and/or the garlic has cooked a little (be careful not to let the garlic burn!  a tip for this is don't mince it too too small and keep the heat on medium-low.  Patience is key.)  Add 1/2 tsp of salt and stir.

-Now add the tofu and vegetables to the sauce and stir it all together with the wooden spoon for a couple of minutes.  Add a little more olive oil and/or salt if you want, you don't have to.

-Finally, add the cooked quinoa and thoroughly mix everything in the pan, at this point on low heat.

-Squeeze 1/4-1/2 of a fresh lemon into the dish and mix it in (optional).

-Serve with a full-bodied, buttery Chardonnay.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Quinoa Burgers and Steamed Winter Vegetables (serves two)

INGREDIENTS:

-2 "Casa Vegana" quinoa burgers

-One batata
-One large potato
-One white onion
-Two large carrots

-20 asparagus rods


INSTRUCTIONS:

This is easy vegan comfort food available in Buenos Aires:

Step 1: Soak all the produce in 2 quarts water and 2 tbsp. white vinegar for 10 minutes to remove all pesticides (this is a general rule of thumb before cooking any fruits or vegetables if you are going to eat the skin).

Step 2: Peel the batata, carrot, and potato. Cut all into golf-ball sized chunks. Also cut the onion into chunks so that each flake is about 1'' by 1''. Place all in a large bowl.

Step 3: Cut the white ends off of the asparagus.  They are too tough to chew.  Steam the asparagus in either the microwave or using a stovetop steamer/pot. (Do this prior to putting the heavier winter vegetables in the steamer).

Step 4: When the asparagus are cooked, take them out of the steamer with tongs and place them on a plate.  Then transfer the heavier winter vegetables from the large bowl into the steamer.  The water in the steamer is already hot, making this process more time-effective.

Step 5: While the winter vegetables are steaming, take out a large pan and pour in 1-2 tbsp. of olive oil. On medium heat, heat the quinoa burgers in the pan (they are pre-cooked and just need to be warmed up).  Remove them from the pan and put them on the plate with the asparagus when they are heated/browned (to your taste).

Step 6: Periodically check the steaming winter veggies. When the Potatoes/batatas/carrots are soft enough to easily puncture with a utensil, you can remove these veggies from the steamer pot and place them in a large serving bowl.  Drizzle olive oil, and add a pinch of salt and a little fresh black pepper (if desired).

Serve and Enjoy!


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Quinoa looks and tastes like a grain but is actually the high protein seed. It is originally from Peru and is popular in in many parts of Latin America.  I have found it  is easy to find quinoa to cook with in the USA and in Europe.  I like to create balanced-plate recipes that may exclude meat and dairy, but not vital nutrients.

Find more information here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa

Sunday, February 7, 2010

(High-carb) Herb Quinoa Fettucini with Kabocha Squash

-2 cups fresh herbed quinoa fettucini
-1 cup eggplant infused Provencale tomato sauce or some equivalent (jar is fine)
-1 tbsp crushed garlic
-1 tbsp olive oil (if you want)
-1/2 steamed Kabocha squash

PASTA:
-Cook the pasta in water with a tsp of salt added
-Empty pasta from pot and rinse in colander
-Crush 1 tbsp of garlic and olive oil and put back on medium heat in the pot
-Once simmering, add the cup of Provencale eggplant tomato sauce
-Stir until bubbling, then add the Pasta back into the pot with the sauce and mix thoroughly. Keep on warm.

SQUASH:
-Wash a Kabocha squash in bowl of water and white vinegar, soak for 10 min then rinse thoroughly
-fourth the squash and steam it until it's thoroughly steamed (in a steamer or microwave)
-chunk as much as you like of it in 1'' cubes, add a bit of salt, and toss in with the pasta

Voila!